Life Before & After Cellphones

It's so true on how Cellphone's have charged our lives so dramatically today than it did thirty years ago. If you didn't reach anyone years ago, that was the normal. Today it's unacceptable in every aspect that you can't even begin to imagine. What went wrong?

Link

Evernote for Business

Evernote is taking a presence in the business world and things are about to change for the better for this small software company. If everything goes right, this could be a new beginning and hundreds of new users for the handy software that many already use.

Link

Dump Drop Box

Have a Dropbox account and want to know more of the companies internal secrets. Here's a website bashing the famous file storage company and why you should dump it and go elsewhere. It's interesting on how in the day in age file server companies are being out sourced to other big companies. Whether it's good or bad depends upon what your storing and backing up on Dropbox. But it's nice to get the scoop on a company that is some how misrepresenting itself into the business world.

Link

Remote Desktop TaskMgr

How do you open the Task Manager in Remote Desktop? If you haven't figured it out already it's as simple as doing a Cntr + Alt + END.

Here are some other great tips below:

Alt + Page Up – Switch between programs (Alt + Tab is the local command)

Ctrl + Alt + End – Display the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc is the local command)

Alt + Home – Brings up the Start menu on the remote computer

Ctrl + Alt + (+) Plus/ (-) Minus – Minus takes a snapshot of the active window and plus takes a snapshot of the entire remote desktop window.

More Info

Printer with Fake Money

It's a great idea to remember the things that you print because when you are up to no good, karma has a way of coming back. This is what happens when a man in Wisconsin tried to return a printer with no receipt. Upon inspection from a Walmart employee, the employee noticed two print pages of fake bills and within minutes the man with no receipt had to explain his criminal activity to the local police.

Story Link

Stop Win Services

Noticing that your computer is acting funny lately and think you might have a virus. Most of the time it's easy to find out which files are giving you the problems by looking at the Start Task Manager. From there you just   view the files that you want to close and hopefully your computer will return to normalcy.
Or you can just install Smart 2.0 and safely shut down the services automatically and tweak your computer settings to your satisfaction.

Link

Get Rid of Left Over Files

Recently uninstalled programs on your computer and from time to time you still see some left over files left from programs that you no longer have. This handy utility takes care of those problems easily.

Link

Win Boot Fix for Win 7 & 8

Is your Windows software taking longer than 30 seconds to boot. Install the Windows update boot file fix and watch your Windows OS boot faster.

Hotfix

Everything Search Engine

Tired of trying to find files on your computer and for what ever reason you never can find those files quick enough. This utility search engine will gather all the files on your computer and simply them for easier lookup.

Link

Laser App

Here's a great application for financial advisors that you have recently filled out their forms. All you have to do is fill the form once and then anytime you deal with a different broker, fund company, insurance, annuity or custodian website you can easily prefill the information that you entered the first time somewhere else. It will definitely save you time doing paperwork.

Link

Zap Messenger

Upset that MSN Messenger is gone and now it keeps on opening up on your computer daily and just want to remove it. If you tried using the Control Panel and failed in the past un-installing it. Here's an easier way to un-install MSN Messenger. All you have to do is install this utility and it will give you the option to un-install it. For those user's who still haven't heard. MSN Messenger was replaced by Skype. So if you still have MSN on your computer. You might just want to remove it.

Link

Bank Vault Password Manager

Looking for a better way to save your passwords online? Check out Bank Vault and learn how easily you can store your passwords with your favorite weblinks. Now saving passwords can be a thing of the past.

More Info
Link

Flyers

Need to create a flyer for a special event. Or just want to get the word out so that everyone knows what's going on. Check out Zazzle and let them show you how easy it is to create, save and order flyers online.

Link

SSA Statements

Wondering what happened to your Social Security statements? The government shut down last year the paper expense and all new users will now need a computer to monitor and review their statements online. It's  good and bad news for some. But it's the governments way of telling everyone that it's time to go online.

Link

Open IE Favorites via Cmd

Here's another way to open your website via Window's keyboard command instead open it the normal way from your favorites menu. It will save you time, if you can remember these unusual commands.
Goto IE, favorites menu and highlight your favorite website you want to create a command to launch quickly. Now with your mouse hit the second key and choose properties. You see something like ctrl + alt +g for opening google.com. Now open up a new Windows in IE and type the same commands to open google.com.

Expand your Windows Screen

Need to expand your Windows screen so you have a better view of what's going on. You'll be surprise to know that Windows can be expanded by hitting just F11. And once your finish and you want to go back to you usual screen you can either end the program or just hit the Esc key to undo the current changes and go back to the original settings.

Refresh IE

Want to refresh IE when it's already open using keyboard commands and not the refresh button on the browser. Just press F5 command and Windows IE should automatically refresh.

To Access Windows Folders

Here's a Windows tip to access Windows all folders. Hit the Windows Cmd  key usually saids "Start" or has the Windows logo on it and type R for "run". In the run command box type ".." and press enter. A new window should open up listing all the folders.

See is Up or Down

Here is a great site to verify if your favorite website is up or down. That way you don't have to freak out and think someone hacked into your account.
It's not uncommon now-a-days to find a well known website to be down. Hackers are constantly playing with big name sites for fun and you just never know.

Link

Disable Win 8 Lock Screen

Here are some handy tweaks to Disable Windows 8 Lock Screen and how to take back control of your computer. It was difficult at first to even tweak my new computer. But after installing the new Windows 8 taskbar menu, everything else made things simple.

Note : This tweak is not for everyone and it can be done.

Link

Enhance My 8

Here's another Windows 8 Tweaker with more options to boost your Windows to a new level. It's filled with so many tools that I prefer this tweaker among others. Give it a try and buy if you like.

More Info
Link

Tweak Me

Here's a handy Windows 8 Tweak that will help you customize your Windows the way you want it. It's a great way to optimize it to it's full capacity.

Link

Holes on Hard Drives

What's the meaning and purpose of do not cover holes on hard drives. In the manufacturing world it has to do with air equalization pressure. The hole acts as an equalization zone for pressure inside and outside a hard drive where parts move constantly. Without this parts would have a very difficult time moving inside the hard drive and could mean disaster for your programs and files.

Link

Give Forward

Want to start a fundraiser to make a difference in life. Here are great ways to do it in fundraising. You never know how much of a big difference just a little donation can change someone life forever.

Link

Infected Website

This is a quick check link to see if your website is infected. If for some reason your website gets blocked, it's a good idea to check the website and narrow down what applications have not been updated. Or if some files on an old website is affecting your new site. You never know until it happens to you.

Link

Mouselock

Want to know who's signing on to your computer when your not around. No a big deal with this neat software from Mouselock. Not only does it tell you when the user tried to sign-on but sends you a picture so you can identify them. Pretty cool as long as you have a google account.

Link

Office 2013 vs Office 365

Here are the pro's and con's on buying Office 2013 for your computer vs Office 365. In the long run it looks like Microsoft is going Cloud and your best option is to stick to their subscription plan until you decided which route you want to take next but it's going to be a hard sell for Microsoft to convince many to signup.


Link

Trap Calls

Tired of getting unmasked calls of people you just don't want to talk to. Here's a great software that's going to let you know who's always calling. It works with every phone and you don't even have to install an application. All you do is signup with a plan that works with you and watch the magic.

TrapCalls

BitDefender Rootkit

BitDefender it taking a stand on viruses by offering a rootkit for already infected computers. It's the new generation of antivirus software fighting the bad guys in the real world. Let's just see how long they can keep the battle going.

Link

Office 2013 License Upset

If your going out to buy the new Office 2013 license, read this first before you go out and spend the extra cash. 

Microsoft is claiming that any retail Office license of 2013 is tied to the computer that it's installed on. So let's say your computer goes bad or motherboard just dies. Your out of luck and have to cough up the extra cash to get a new license for 2013 on a new computer. The same goes for computer upgrades.

Big disappoint from Microsoft for the retail side of business and I hope customers will complain enough and ban the purchase of Office 2013 until Microsoft changes it selling practices.

More info

Removable Drive Shortcuts

Here's an easy way to add removable drive shortcuts on your desktop so that user's can easily access the drive with a click of a button. It's not for everyone but it can make a difference to user's who always need to access this on a daily basis.

Info
Software Link

Want to track your phone

Here are some great software's to help you track your phone in case one day it goes missing. Everyone every now and then has this misfortune happen to them. It's a great utility to know where your phone is at all times.

Glympse
Accutracking
Phone tracking info

Create a DOS USB

This is a great way to make a bootable DOS USB drive. It's a must have utility if you one day have to reformat an old computer with no floppy drive. I can't tell you how many times this saved my life when fixing computers.

Link

Shutter

Want to be able to shut down or re-start your computer remotely via your phone. This software can help you do all this and just a little more. It's a great application to control your computer while on the road.

Link

Indeed Search Engine

Here's a new job search engine that is unlike anything you had ever encounter. Just type in your job description and see jobs in your area. Or why not enter the company that you work for and see who's recently been job hunting.

Link

Download Win 8 iso

Here's is the easiest way to download the Win 8 iso instead of using a torrent. It's Microsoft's sure way to secure you from getting malware or viruses online.

Link
more info 

How to Change Double Click to Single Click

This is the most asked problem in Windows in which after several Windows updates the computer now responds when you double click it instead of single clicking it. It's annoying that Microsoft still hasn't fixed this bug and I am glad to give you the instructions on how to fix it here.

Instructions to fix it here


open Explorer > Tools > Folder Options. Here under the General tab, you will see Click items as follows

Here select Single-click to open an item (point to select). You may also want to select the Underline icon tiles only when I point at them option. 

Click Appy > OK > Exit.

Mobile Website

Want to transform your website to a mobile website. Here's the information needed to take it mobile. First you need to go to xtgem. And then step by step you will have to re-create and re-size your website so that it can easily be viewed via mobile. Remember just because the graphics on your regular website worked, doesn't mean it's going to work via mobile. So your going to have to some what re-invent what your doing via mobile if you want any of you users to visit your web page. Good luck

Directions

Remote Access for Free

If your looking for a free remote access software and dislike LogmeIn. Here's a great company to take a look at if your willing to keep it simple and just share one computer. Adding more computers just forces you to go to a premium level account. But besides that it's still worth the freeware.

Link

Win 8 App backup

Have Windows 8 and wondering how do you backup all your new applications, just in case one day your computer gets corrupted. All you need is the backup tool from Windows 8 and backing up and restoring your application will be a thing of the past.


Link 

Cancel a pring job in Quere

Here are the step to step instructions on how to cancel the a print job in quere. Most of the times it's easier to do it on the server. If you don't have access you can either reboot your computer or try this fix.

Win8 for Beginners

Recently purchased a Windows 8 computer and still not use to some of the features and options that Windows currently has. Here's a great start up video to get you in the right track with Windows 8.

Link

PDF to Word

Need to convert a PDF document to Word. No problem with this easy converter. Its the best freeware to edit and re-use over and over again.

Are Digital Signatures Secure

Are digital signatures secure, yes for now as long as you use a respectable company. As for the future of digital signatures, well it looks great for now, but vendors will always have to be a step ahead on security if they want to make  big sell to their clients and  future of digital signing.

More information see Link

Send Large Files

If you haven't check them out yet, do so now because you never know when your going to have to send a large file online.

Links
Drop Send
We Send

Emsisoft Emergency Kit

Looking for a new malware scanner with dual engines. This software claims to be the best one on the block. I'll say just lets give it a test and let time tell if this software works.

Software information link
Download

Combofix

This is a great virus removal software. It's designed to take control of any lost computer files who are full of viruses, malware and rootkits. Your best bet is to use this software first and then use you standard removals afterwards.If all fails then your better off to reformat all together. Good Luck.

ComboFix info:
**Note: In the event you already have Combofix, this is a new version that I need you to download. It is important that it is saved directly to your desktop**

1. Please, never rename Combofix unless instructed.
2. Close any open browsers.
3. Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.
   • Very Important! Temporarily disable your anti-virus, script blocking and any anti-malware real-time protection before performing a scan. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause "unpredictable results".
   • Click on this link to see a list of programs that should be disabled. The list is not all inclusive. If yours is not listed and you don't know how to disable it, please ask.
   NOTE1. If Combofix asks you to install Recovery Console, please allow it.
   NOTE 2. If Combofix asks you to update the program, always do so.
   • Close any open browsers.
   • WARNING: Combofix will disconnect your machine from the Internet as soon as it starts
   • Please do not attempt to re-connect your machine back to the Internet until Combofix has completely finished.
   • If there is no internet connection after running Combofix, then restart your computer to restore back your connection.
4. Double click on combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
5. When finished, it will produce a report for you.
6. Please post the "C:\ComboFix.txt"

**Note: Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it's running. That may cause it to stall**

Verify Twitter Post

Need to verify if your twitter posts are real people. Here's a site to confirm which one of your followers are real and are not automated. At least you now know the truth.

Link

Mouse Wait

Here's a great Disney application for travelers who always want to know how long the wait in line is at certain locations. It's a must have application to make your park experience pleasant. I strongly recommend it if your a Disney fan.

Link

Where did this email come from?

Sometimes when we get spam mail, people wonder where the email is coming from. Here's an insight on what to look for and what to use to find out who sent you that mail. It will not always be true for all the emails that you get.

Info
Spam Cop
Google Header Analysis

Tweak Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a utility file that's built into Windows to clean up temporary files left by programs or files that you were working on. If the file is open or not in use, at times Windows plays it safe and doesn't delete them.
If you want Disk Cleanup to always cleanup your temporary folder here is the registry tweak to do this.
I caution you tweak your registry at your own risk and follow the instructions below.

Instructions:
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ VolumeCaches\ Temporary Files

Locate and double-click on LastAccess. When you see the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, change the Value Data setting from 7 to 0 and click OK. Setting it at 0 will make Disk Cleanup Tool delete all the files. If you set it at say 1, it will not clean the last 1 days temp files.

Link

BYOD connections

Want to establish a BYOD at work and enable connecting to be easy. Here are some software's that help you link your to your network easier.

Clearpass
SU1X software download link
Xpress Connect




More Info

Boot Safe

No need to hit F8 to get to Safe Mode. Now all you have to do is use this handy utility and it easily takes you to safe mode. It's a dummies guide to Safe Mode.


Link

Uninstall Win Product Key

Here are the instructions to carry along your Windows Product Key to another computer. The laws vary on OEM so feel free to try it at your own risk.
You have to be signed as an administrator and at the cmd prompt type "slmgr /dlv" then uninstall the product key using the /upk switch. If everything is done correctly you should get the window script that the product key was installed correctly.

for more instructions follow this link

Brasero

Looking for a Nero replacement that's free without the premium price. Brasero is a good substitute and your enjoy how easily you  can burn software like Nero with just a few clicks.

Link

Rise

Here's a great new application for Apple lovers who need an alarm clock that works with their daily happens. It's very unique when compared to other applications that I've seen in the market.
I enjoy how you can easily mute or give yourself another five minutes with just a slide of the application. If you in the market for a new alarm application for you phone. This is a must see link.

Link

Free Accounting Software

Looking for a simple free accounting software. Here's a simple program to track income and expenses with even a sale record database. Not bad for a freebie.

Installation Instructions
Download

Win 8 Startup Menu

Windows 8 has changed drastically that now user's have the option to install the classic version or alternate versions if they feel that they still need the startup menu. It looks like Microsoft is taking action to eventually remove the menu button for good.

Links:

Win Classic
Start8
Win 8 manual setup
Start Menu 7 

Free Any Burn

Here is a great burning software that simplifies burning software. It works with various operating systems and hopefully this time burning will be easier to do. If your in the market for a new burning software here's a great freebie.


Free Any Burn

Live Gold Prices

Have scrap gold to sell and wondering how much you can get for your useless gold pieces. Here's what you need to know before you decide to sell your gold. Gold prices vary with the amount of carat the gold pieces were made of. Anything that is 24 ct gold is worth way more than 18 ct and 10 ct gold. And if your planing on selling your gold, the best offer you'll get in most places is 1/4 of the current market price. But you need to know how many ounces your carat of gold weighs before hand.
My advice to you is never settle for the first bid on gold your selling, don't fall for vendors charging you to price your gold and shop around for the best offer. It is what it is, but you can still sell your gold and still make a decent profit. Good luck.


Current Gold Prices

Restartme

Your program recently crashed and now you want to restart it again like you originally did. Here's a great software to restart things over again when things just crash.

Installation help
Software Link

Planning on Fixing your MAC

If your planning on fixing your new MAC machine read this before you attempt to go further. Per the iFixit technician's, they said that it's a headache and the biggest complaint is that RAM location which is hidden behind the logic board. If you still want to go ahead and go for it. Make sure you take a lot of pictures, just in case something goes wrong.

Link

Pay to stop Internet Ads

Want to put a stop to internet Ad's. You might want to check this site out and get a prototype before someone decides to stop the mass produce this product.
Advertisers are sure going to get legal and try to ban this product from production but until that happens enjoy the benefits of an Ad free internet.

Link

Bump

Here a great way to organize important people you meet on a daily basis. Not only does it tag the personal information but you can even attach a picture to that person so that you can easily recommend them to other. Great idea to keep your network active.

Link

Card Cloud

Now you can easily record and take notes on important individuals you meet on a daily basis. All you do is scan the individual card and the software stores the information for you to review later.

CardCloud

Online Computer Help

Looking for online computer help? Don't be surprised with what's out there. If your not careful you could be wasting money on useless software's that do nothing. Your best bet is to follow user's who discuss and write about everyday computer problems. And see if they offer support.

Regardless you can also try our friend the PcMaestro

Info

Win 7 Blank Devices

Need to fix Windows 7 blank device and folders. Here the quick fix for this annoying setup feature that Microsoft refuses to resolve for most users.

Fix

Virtual Credit Card

Tired of using your credit card online in fear that someone might easily get your card information and steal your identity. Here's a new way to buy merchandise online using a virtual credit card. All you have to do is link your credit card number to this virtual card and make purchases with the virtual card. Securing you and your loved ones from identity theft.

Link

Backup Gmail with Gmvault

Here's a great way to backup all your Gmail emails just in case one day something critically goes wrong with Gmail service. You never can under estimate the obvious which is backing up.

Link
Backing up instructions
Gmvault

Download Firefox without IE

Here is a great way to load Firefox onto your computer without trying to download it from Internet Explorer. It works the same with other ftp programs as well. Just open up a folder in Windows and type the following below and install the latest version of Firefox.


Directions
open my computer on the address bar type the following ftp://ftp.mozilla.org and click enter. The window should now contain a new file to download Firefox and just click on Firefox to install it's latest version.

alternative link ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/latest/win32/en-US/

Malicious Software Removal Tool

This is not a substitute for antivirus but a great way to verify if your system is hiding something. It's usually updated by Microsoft every patch Tuesday of every month, so your always going to get the latest version.

Link

Network Security Software

Need to confirm that your network is secure. It's easier to test your network with the list of security software below and test and confirm your network intrusions.

Link
Metasploit
Netcat
Nessus
Netstumbler
Nmap
Snort

Test Weak Passwords

Want to check your network for weak passwords. Here are great utilities to test your password cracking skills. In the end it just tests your password security levels on being hacked.

Links
THC Hydra
Snmp Brute force
KismetWirelessnet

Probe Host

Need to probe hosts to see what they are doing? Here is a great program to tell you what's connected on to your network. It a must have tool if you have no idea who's on your network.

Link
Cheops

Monitor unknown MAC's

Afraid that someone maybe hacking into your wireless network. Here is a great program to monitor all the MAC addresses on your network.


Link
arpwatch

PDF Lite

Here are some light PDF software's just in case your tired of Adobe ongoing crashes and security updates. Sometimes going lighter just makes things easier. And if you need more PDF help. Feel free to check out the links below.

Links:
Evince
SlimPdf
Naunce Pdf

Need to Edit PDF's try the following
LibreOffice

Interactive PDF's try the following
Scibus

Need PDF's editing security try the following
Link

MoveOnBoot

Tired of dealing with locked Windows files when your trying to edit, erase or rename a file or folder. This handy free utility removes the locked Windows file error and helps you take control of your computer.

Link

Boxcryptor

Here's a great way to secure your cloud data for free. So if your currently using dropbox, google drive or box.net all you need to do is encrypt your data and your files are now secure.

Link

Express Accounts

Looking for a free accounting software online to help you manage your books. Here is an excellent software to help you manage your books, until your latter capable of affording a reliable accounting software package.

Link

Win Med Auto Shutdown

Want to automatically shut down your computer the easy way. This software will do the work using simple tasks and there is no need to worry about your computer staying on daily.

Link

My PC Backup

Here's an easy way to backup your computer similar to mozy. You just install the application and backup your files and share it among other devices. Online cloud backup is becoming known and within time prices will eventually drop to reasonable prices.

Link

Win 8.1 Taskbar Update

What is Windows 8.1 and why should I get it. It looks like Microsoft now is listening to their customers and bringing back the taskbar in the 8.1 version.
Currently the taskbar is not available because Microsoft wants to make sure it's user friendly and bug free. But if you just recently purchased Windows 8, it's pointless worrying about bugs because the software will still be buggy until they issue their first Windows 8 service pack fix. So in the end, installing the taskbar will still be better off regardless of you waiting.
Once done you should be able to take control of your computer menu's the same way you did in previous version of Windows.

Info
Update

Endomondo

Want to map your workouts and challenge your friends. This is a great place to push all your friend to work out and show your friends your workout schedule and diet.

Link

MapMyRide

Need to plot your routes ahead of time then why not map your route and figure out what's up ahead so that you can work around your time.

Links

Credit Sesame

Here's another credit score website that helps you build your credit. It's a new method on helping user's succeed greater credit wealth.

Link Credit Sesame

Credit Karma

Looking for your credit report and credit score to help you purchase, finance or just build your credit. This site promises just that and it's free. There is no catch and you'll be surprised on what special deals you also can get.

Link Credit Karma

Hard Drive Testing

Here are several great hard drive stress testers to push your hard drive to the limit before the drive give up and has to be replaced. If your having drive problems. Your best bet is to test the hard drive via stress testing and verify that it's still good to be used.

Segate
Hitachi
Windows
Samsung
Western Digital
BartPE
Fijitsu

Plug & Play Data Cables

Need to run data cables and your undecided if you should do it yourself or get a professional to do it. Here's a new way to install data cables with the security that everything will be done as easy and plug and play.
All you need to do is purchase the Cablesys Plug & Play data cables and your ready to go. It's that simple and that easy. 

Great Windows Recovery Tools

Here are some great recovery tools to help you restore your lost files. Not all file recovery software's are alike.

Wise Data Recovery
Restoration
Test Disk
Portable Data Recovery

Who logged into my computer

If you ever wanted to know, how to find out who logged into my computer. Here's a great way using current windows tools.

Ring Central

Ready to open your new business. If you don't have the start money for a new personal assistant or phone system. This website can be helpful.

Battery InfoView

Need battery information on your netbook or laptop. Here is a handy utility to give you battery information on year, make, model , serial number, manufacture and power state. You can even log battery information every 30 seconds.

Windows Update on Win 7 Taskbar

Want to easily do Windows Updates, try installing it on the task-bar and now doing updates will be as simple as with once click of the mouse. 

Hyper Desktop

Now taking screen shots of your desktop can be as easily as taking a picture and automatically uploading it to imgr.com. It even let's you add text to the screenshot.

Direct Link

Meraki’s WiFi Mapper

Here's a great WiFi mapper for all of those user's building a WiFi network. It helps you map out your network so that their channel speeds are measured accurately.

Ekahu
Meraki

Sync across platform

Ready to sync across platform. Take a look at a new way of searching using yahoo and favkeeper. I promise that you'll be amazed on how easy it is to browse online.

Yahoo axis

sRemote

Want to take control of your computer using Gmail controls. sRemote is here to take over your computer with simple commands. It's a small utility that can basically do remote functions in a snap. A must have tool for those Gmail users.

More info

How to Print from Android

Want to know how to print from Android. These are the few secrets for printing many manufactures don't want you to know. But it's possible and for free.

Links
Brother
Canon
HP
Samsung

Windows Device Driver

Here is a great Windows device drivers update to help you accomplish a successful system upgrade. It's a must have utility for those user's who fear of not having the correct drivers after an upgrade.

Link

Insurance Claim Filing App

Now filing insurance claims is a thing of the past with the insurance claim filing application. All you have to do is download your insurance company application and when it's time to file a claim. You just follow the instructions. Now getting insurance quotes will be a thing of the past.